‘Our missile launch was a birthday gift for late supreme leader... the US must stop being hostile’
THE cause of death has not yet been officially determined for North Korean leader Kim Jongun’s exiled half-brother, who was the victim of an apparent poison attack at Kuala Lumpur airport last week. North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, has claimed Kim Jong-nam, 46, died of a heart attack. A post- “best possible gift for Generalissimo Kim Jong-il on his 75th birthday”.
North Koreans would like to engage with the United States, though. Each missile launch and nuclear test serves multiple purposes — including grabbing the attention of the international community. But Pyongyang’s official line is that they don’t care who the US president is, because all presidents have continued the same “hostile policy”.
“It would be a good idea for President Trump to meet with my supreme leader,” said computer engineer Pak Chol Song. “But he’d have to be willing to end America’s hostile policy.”
“We know President Trump by name,” said researcher Yu Gwang Chol. “But we really don’t care who’s in power. We only care if they stop their hostile policy towards my country.” Ordinary citizens don’t have internet. They can’t make international calls. mortem examination has found no evidence of that, Malaysian directorgeneral of health Noor Hisham Abdullah told reporters today. Further medical tests are now being carried out. South Korea’s spy agency believes North Korea was behind the killing but has yet to produce any evidence for the claim.
State media is their only window on the outside world. It’s not surprising that views on Trump are strikingly similar.
During this latest trip, officials gave us unprecedented access to ordinary North Koreans. Never before have we been able to so easily approach people on the street. For the most part, the people I met were friendly. From a young age, North Koreans are told they live under the constant threat of US invasion. Whoever is president symbolises the evil image of America that has been ingrained into their psyche.
That simple, effective propaganda message has helped three generations of Kim family rulers justify their nation’s militarisation and tight grip on its citizens. They have perfected how to keep order and control. They do it by keeping out the rest of the world. Will Ripley is international correspondent for CNN International